The parasite protein STEVOR (Subtelomeric Variable Open Reading frame) is an erythrocyte-binding protein recognizing Glycophorin C on the red blood cell (RBC) surface. The cytoplasmic domain of STEVOR is shown to interact with ankyrin complex at the erythrocyte skeleton. It is phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA) at a specific serine residue (S324) [1]. The N-terminal semi-conserved region of Stevor that is present in this domain is shown to specifically bind to to a chymotrypsin-resistant RBC receptor. The expression of STEVOR in multiple parasite stages including merozoites suggests that STEVOR mediates multiple distinct functions in parasitic infectious cycle [2].

1: Plasmodium falciparum STEVOR phosphorylation regulates host erythrocyte deformability enabling malaria parasite transmission. Naissant B, Dupuy F, Duffier Y, Lorthiois A, Duez J, Scholz J, Buffet P, Merckx A, Bachmann A, Lavazec C; Blood. 2016;127:e42-e53. PMID:27136945

2: STEVOR is a Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding protein that mediates merozoite invasion and rosetting. Niang M, Bei AK, Madnani KG, Pelly S, Dankwa S, Kanjee U, Gunalan K, Amaladoss A, Yeo KP, Bob NS, Malleret B, Duraisingh MT, Preiser PR; Cell Host Microbe. 2014;16:81-93. PMID:25011110